humanity
Humanity begins at home.
Farming 101
My husband and our daughter live on 40 acres in North Eastern Wyoming. I have lived in Wyoming most of my life (I lived in Alaska for a few months, not my cup of tea). My husband was also born and raised here. We both come from country backgrounds. I grew up on an 1100 acre ranch north of town, and he grew up on a ranch west of town. We met when we were young, I was 12 and fell in love then. We went our seperate ways, and low and behold, we found our way back to each other in 2019. We now share a home and have a beautiful daughter on our 40 acre farm. The farm lifestyle was definitely my doing.
By Nikki Pond6 years ago in Families
Finding My Tribe
I have been researching my family tree for a while and have made many discoveries throughout my journey. My family tree comes from a wide range of countries throughout Europe, but a part of my family tree that has always fascinated me are my Jewish roots. The problem with researching this part of my family tree, is that I constantly run into a problem which most people with Jewish ancestors run into, the Holocaust. Many records of Jewish people were destroyed during both the Holocaust and the years after, which makes it harder to find any information about my family.
By Bradley Greenland6 years ago in Families
Leche Con Cafe
Mom picked me up from school late again. This time beat all the other times. A whopping 2 hours and 23 minutes late. I was one of the last kids there waiting outside of my middle school. She gave me the same old story about how work was so hectic and she was drowning in her workload. Of course, as a 12-year old kid, I had no idea what that meant nor did I want to know. I sat quietly with my elbow on the window, chin in hand, lazily staring outside as we drove through the poorly cared for neighborhoods. Two kids were passing around a soccer ball outside on the street. I knew one of them from my art class and somberly made eyecontact with him as he waived at me.
By Jessica Elaine Aparicio 6 years ago in Families
Always Open!
CHAPTER ONE “A New Restaurant in Town” “It looks like someone’s opening a new diner and it’s open 24/7. I suppose that’s what we’ve got to look forward to these days. No one wants to cook at home anymore.” Darton wasn’t impressed and he wasn’t willing to accept any new changes to his small town. He liked it the way it was and didn’t appreciate newcomers changing what he was used to. “Papa, I think it’s a good idea for people who work late or the overnight shift and need something good to eat. Not everyone is lazy, it’s just the world is changing and working Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm isn’t the norm anymore. Just wait Papa, you’ll see it’ll be great.” Nancy tried to convince her grandpa to accept change and how it’d be good for them. “Hogwash, things were better before all these changes started coming.” Nancy shook her head as she drove up in the driveway. There’s no way now she was going to tell her papa the new diner was hers; he wouldn’t understand. “Ok, sir let’s get you inside and get you a good meal. You are hungry because you get grumpy when you’re hungry.” Papa obliged. “You think you know somebody and I’m not grumpy. I’m just stating facts. A 24/7 diner, what’s next automatic meal makers like they got on the Jetsons?” Nancy covered up her chuckle so he wouldn’t fuss at her for being disrespectful. “Papa, all change isn’t bad. I promise this’ll be good for all of us. It’ll also provide jobs for those who may not have a high school diploma or college degree. So many people can benefit from this restaurant.” Darton went to get washed up for lunch. He loved his granddaughter’s cooking. It reminded him of his wife’s. She used recipes that was handed down from one generation to the next, what he didn’t know is that Nancy added a little piece of what she learned in culinary school to them. She knew she couldn’t tell him because he wouldn’t eat it on a count that he didn’t handle change very well. “Ok Papa, you’re favorite for lunch today. We have chicken parmesan with a garden salad and of course the ever-flavorful iced tea. For you, half and half because you don’t need a lot of sugar.” Papa couldn’t wait to get at it. “I’m the Papa you know, I know how much sugar I need and don’t need.” He took a sip of the tea and gave a thumbs up. “Papa you forgot to say grace.” In humor, Papa looked up and said “Grace.” Nancy gave a stern look as to say it wasn’t funny. “Alright, alright, I know I always taught you to ask God to bless the food.” He then proceeded to say his grace before he ate. Nancy was growing tired and not sure how much longer she’d be able to take care of her grandfather. She was physically becoming tired and not able to keep up her strength. He kept her so busy, she hadn’t been able to go to the doctor to find out why she was so tired. After lunch she went upstairs to lie down for a while. “Papa, I just need a nap and then I’ll be back. She looked over some paperwork for her restaurant and fell asleep with the papers falling on top of her face. She was beyond exhausted due to running her Papa everywhere he had to go. Darton followed suit and took a nap himself. He hated that she spent so much of her time taking care of him instead of enjoying her life. “God bless my granddaughter with a good life and a husband that will take care of her. I’ve lived a long time and I’m ready to come home. She needs to be free to live her life and she’s not going to leave me alone. I ask you to get us some help or take me home with you. In Jesus’ name I pray amen.” Darton fell asleep in his favorite chair. Nancy had a dream, and, in her dream, she had a family and they were incredibly happy. It wasn’t that she didn’t want a family, she just felt like she didn’t have the time or the money.
By Genisha Morton6 years ago in Families
The diner
The streets are lit with tea lights, neon or some areas the paper lantern. The dining choices exuberant with culture appropriate music blasting from each room across the city. The aromas of fresh bread to wake you in the morning, chocolate from the factories or meats from the local smoking houses if you’re in just the right neighborhood. The aromas of fresh garlic and oregano on a hot summer’s night wafting down the streets and into ones open windows engulfing the senses and a whole room, pasta, pizza and pastry from the most competitive culinary pizza and pasta crafters in the nation. Thin crust, stuffed crust and pizza baked upside down only landing upright once it hits the plate. Crusty pastry topping this true form of an authentic pizza pie. On a cool summer night one can stroll down the corridors of the savory excellence to engage in a tasting experience than surpasses no other. Chicago is a city designed to expand the waist band of even the strictest dieter.
By Andrea Sturm6 years ago in Families
Summer nights
sitting in the wooden porch they smiled a little. All moved into their new house. well,temporary house. It was only for the summer and it was more or less a job for these three months. The house was worn in, like it had seen its fair share of residents. There was no doubt it didn’t, having been used every summer for the last ten years.
By Jaeden coltess6 years ago in Families
Piglet's Diner
Fall of 1986 in Flower Pot, New York On a gloomy Tuesday night, four high school truants discover the coolest thing ever- a family-operated 24/7 restaurant called Piglet's Diner. During their neighbourhood stroll at 2 am, Ben hears his all-time favourite song playing loudly from the diner. His friends Wendy, Emily and Tom want to visit the local liquor store to grab a few bottles of lager and visit the little parkette two blocks away from the diner. On the other hand, Ben is craving a juicy, all-beef cheeseburger with crispy french fries, black coffee and a pink, melt-in-your-mouth strawberry cheesecake milkshake, but also wants an alcoholic drink of some kind. McDonalds is closed for the night. The other local 24/7 diners and eateries are too expensive. So what's next on the list? Ben suggests that him and his pals visit Piglet's for a bite to eat, since his aunt Poppy and uncle Wilbur are the owners of the diner. They all agree to tag along. Uncle Wilbur and Aunt Poppy happily greet their first midnight customers as the teens enter the vibrant, 50's style eatery.
By Talia Devora6 years ago in Families
Corner Booth
I was having a heated discussion with my mom. It was all in my head, but I was getting my thought out regardless. I’ve started having these conversations with myself instead of with her, not because I was afraid of these conversations with her, but because I knew how they would end. In my head, I get a tearful apology and changed actions that confirmed that apology. In reality, however, it would end in a fight. I would plead my case, she would insist she’s doing absolutely nothing wrong with that tone that takes me back to her middle naming me when I was in trouble when I was young. Her brow would furrow and I would retaliate in that booming voice that frightened my brother when he was little. We wouldn’t surrender until the other walked away and then we wouldn’t speak without harsh tones for days. Eventually, sweeping the issue under the rug to fester and never again see the light of day. This is how every confrontation with my mother has gone for as long as I can remember, and I don’t have it in me to fight right now. So, I play both parts and say each line over and over until I get the result I feel I deserve. Just another item to add to the list of things I need to talk about in therapy.
By Shae Moreno6 years ago in Families
